New Township Officer in Full 'Bloom'

Michael Bloom is one of two new officers who was sworn into Chatham Township Police Department on March 1.

Bloom, 32, comes to the Township’s department after six years of serving in Ewing Township in Mercer County, an area he said is a little more crime-ridden than Chatham.

“Chatham’s a little more stable and a nicer town,” he said. “It’s a lot better of a work environment.”

In addition, with a difference in number of sworn officers from Ewing’s 70 to the Township’s 21, Bloom said it is much easier to get to know each other.

“In a place like Chatham, we are a lot more close-knit,” he said. “When there are only 20 or so guys, you pretty much know everybody. In Ewing, there were guys I never saw, and I was there for three years.”

Although there is less crime and a better work environment, he said his day-to-day as an officer in the Township is just like it would be in any other town. His shift begins with a roll call with his squad sergeant; as the shift progresses, he answers all calls that come in and enforces all motor vehicle violations he identifies.

He said that another big aspect of his daily responsibilities is stopping into local businesses whenever possible to promote community awareness and let everybody know he is there.

“I think they’re all very nice, very friendly and very pro-police,” Bloom said. “Everybody I have come in contact with and met has been very warm and receptive. It’s a nice thing to have people behind you in the town.”

Bloom began his career as a cop after spending four and a half years in Iraq, serving in the army as part of the 82nd Airborne Division.

After returning to New Jersey from Iraq, he saw joining the police force as the easiest transition based on his talents and experience.

In just less than two months on the job, Bloom, who has lived in Sayreville for the majority of his life, said he tries to spend as much time as possible with his wife and their 6-month-old son.

“I do the normal stuff for free time, like sports and basketball,” he said. “But, right now, my main hobby is my son.”